Scott Briggs to leave Nine for Fox Sports

THE director of commercial and regulatory affairs at Nine has been a key executive, and a bridge to Canberra.

NINE Entertainment executive Scott Briggs is to leave the broadcaster to join Fox Sports.

Briggs joins Fox Sports in the newly created role of commercial director, effective December 15.

The director of commercial and regulatory affairs at Nine has been a key executive for Nine and a bridge between the network and the corridors of power in Canberra.

Alongside Nine chief executive David Gyngell, Briggs appeared before a joint select parliamentary committee on the controversial Gillard media reforms package in March last year.

In the new role, he will report to Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany, and oversee major commercial dealings and relationships within subscription TV, as well as with sports partners and government.

Former communications minister Stephen Conroy has been repeatedly linked to a role at Nine, and Briggs’s exit could pave the way for him to join the media company.

“Scott brings broad corporate and regulatory experience to the Fox Sports team,” Mr Delany said. “I expect he will make a very significant contribution as we grow and develop our business.”

Mr Briggs said: “Fox Sports is a great business with enormous potential. I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the Fox Sports team to help the business expand in new ways and enhance its products for sports fans.”

It’s understood there are no immediate plans to replace Briggs, whose shock departure was announced by Fox Sports while Nine was having a board meeting.

Nine chief executive David Gyngell said: “We are happy for Scott, he’s a great colleague and a good friend, he’s going to a terrific company at Fox Sports and I look forward to working with him in the future.”

Fox Sports is owned by News Corp Australia, publisher of The Australian.